EP3538723B1 - Structure de mât déployable - Google Patents

Structure de mât déployable Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3538723B1
EP3538723B1 EP17800583.1A EP17800583A EP3538723B1 EP 3538723 B1 EP3538723 B1 EP 3538723B1 EP 17800583 A EP17800583 A EP 17800583A EP 3538723 B1 EP3538723 B1 EP 3538723B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tape
mast structure
spring hinges
deployable
deployable mast
Prior art date
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Active
Application number
EP17800583.1A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3538723A1 (fr
Inventor
Juan REVELES
Vincent FRAUX
Yoshiro OGI
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Oxford Space Systems Ltd
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Oxford Space Systems Ltd
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Publication of EP3538723A1 publication Critical patent/EP3538723A1/fr
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H12/00—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures
    • E04H12/18—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures movable or with movable sections, e.g. rotatable or telescopic
    • E04H12/187—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures movable or with movable sections, e.g. rotatable or telescopic with hinged sections
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C70/00—Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts
    • B29C70/04—Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts comprising reinforcements only, e.g. self-reinforcing plastics
    • B29C70/28—Shaping operations therefor
    • B29C70/30—Shaping by lay-up, i.e. applying fibres, tape or broadsheet on a mould, former or core; Shaping by spray-up, i.e. spraying of fibres on a mould, former or core
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C70/00—Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts
    • B29C70/04—Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts comprising reinforcements only, e.g. self-reinforcing plastics
    • B29C70/28—Shaping operations therefor
    • B29C70/40—Shaping or impregnating by compression not applied
    • B29C70/42—Shaping or impregnating by compression not applied for producing articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
    • B29C70/44—Shaping or impregnating by compression not applied for producing articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles using isostatic pressure, e.g. pressure difference-moulding, vacuum bag-moulding, autoclave-moulding or expanding rubber-moulding
    • B29C70/446—Moulding structures having an axis of symmetry or at least one channel, e.g. tubular structures, frames
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C70/00—Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts
    • B29C70/04—Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts comprising reinforcements only, e.g. self-reinforcing plastics
    • B29C70/28—Shaping operations therefor
    • B29C70/54—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations, e.g. feeding or storage of prepregs or SMC after impregnation or during ageing
    • B29C70/545—Perforating, cutting or machining during or after moulding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/222—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles for deploying structures between a stowed and deployed state
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/222—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles for deploying structures between a stowed and deployed state
    • B64G1/2221—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles for deploying structures between a stowed and deployed state characterised by the manner of deployment
    • B64G1/2222—Folding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/222—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles for deploying structures between a stowed and deployed state
    • B64G1/2221—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles for deploying structures between a stowed and deployed state characterised by the manner of deployment
    • B64G1/2226—Telescoping
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/222—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles for deploying structures between a stowed and deployed state
    • B64G1/2228—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles for deploying structures between a stowed and deployed state characterised by the hold-down or release mechanisms
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/222—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles for deploying structures between a stowed and deployed state
    • B64G1/2229—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles for deploying structures between a stowed and deployed state characterised by the deployment actuating mechanism
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H12/00—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures
    • E04H12/02—Structures made of specified materials
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H12/00—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures
    • E04H12/34—Arrangements for erecting or lowering towers, masts, poles, chimney stacks, or the like
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/1235—Collapsible supports; Means for erecting a rigid antenna
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
    • H01Q1/28—Adaptation for use in or on aircraft, missiles, satellites, or balloons
    • H01Q1/288—Satellite antennas
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2063/00—Use of EP, i.e. epoxy resins or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2307/00—Use of elements other than metals as reinforcement
    • B29K2307/04—Carbon
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/34—Electrical apparatus, e.g. sparking plugs or parts thereof
    • B29L2031/3456—Antennas, e.g. radomes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to deployable mast structures. More particularly, the present invention relates to deployable mast structures which comprise a tubular body and a plurality of tape-spring hinges.
  • Deployable structures are used in various applications when the physical size of an apparatus needs to be temporarily reduced, for example for storage or transportation purposes.
  • One such field in which deployable structures are widely used is that of space-based applications, particularly satellites and other space vehicles which are launched into space in the rocket fairing. Since there is only limited space available in the fairing, deployable structures are used which can be stowed into a small volume prior to launch.
  • Deployable masts have been developed in which long rigid mast sections are joined by tape-spring hinges. Such masts can be stowed by buckling the tape-spring hinges so that the rigid mast sections are folded back to lie alongside one another.
  • the tape-spring hinges store elastic strain energy that causes the structure to automatically deploy once a restraining force is removed. Whilst this folding arrangement reduces the overall length of the structure in comparison to the length of the fully-deployed mast, the total reduction in size is limited by the length of the rigid mast sections. For example, if the mast comprises three rigid sections of equal length connected by tape-spring hinges, the total length of the collapsed structure will be roughly one-third that of the fully-extended structure. It would therefore be desirable to provide a more compact form of deployable mast structure.
  • EP2272761A1 discloses an extendable structure which may be used in space-based applications, for example forming the body of a telescope.
  • EP2783989A2 discloses a deployable mast comprising stages stacked one above another, each stage including three longitudinal flexible tape-springs, where each tape-spring includes upper and lower ends fixed on the upper and lower platforms, respectively.
  • US6374565B1 discloses a foldable member in the shape of tube with elongated slots, and a collapsible structure constructed of such foldable members.
  • EP2993131A1 discloses a deployable mast comprising N stages comprising at least six flexible longitudinal link arms, the N stages being fixed to each other two by two via connecting platforms.
  • US2011/0061332A1 discloses a method of making a selected structure including providing a plurality of members wherein each member is configured to be coupled to at least one other member.
  • a deployable mast structure according to claim 1.
  • the plurality of openings are arranged into a plurality of groups spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the body, such that each group of openings defines a hinge section comprising a plurality of tape-spring hinges arranged around the longitudinal axis, adjacent hinge sections being connected by a section of the wall in which no tape-spring hinges are formed.
  • the deployable mast structure may further comprise a plurality of reinforcing members each configured to reinforce one of the sections of the wall in which no tape-spring hinges are formed.
  • the wall of the body maybe formed from a layered composite material and each of the plurality of reinforcing members may comprise one or more additional layers of the composite material, such that the sections of the wall in which no tape-spring hinges are formed have a higher stiffness than the hinge sections.
  • a length of each of the plurality of openings within a section of the body is selected such that the tape-spring hinges within said section can be folded inwardly towards a centre of the body when the structure is in the stowed configuration.
  • the body is tapered in width along the longitudinal axis.
  • An angle of the taper may be selected to permit a section of the wall at one end of one of the tape-spring hinges to be stored inside a section of the wall at the opposite end of said one of the tape-spring hinges, when the mast structure is in the stowed configuration.
  • the deployable mast structure further comprises a control mechanism configured to control a speed at which the mast structure deploys from the stowed configuration once a restraining force is removed, the control mechanism being configured to exert a braking force which partly counteracts the force exerted by the tape-spring hinges.
  • the control mechanism may comprise an eddy current damper connected to an end of the mast structure by at least one fibre, the eddy current damper being configured to generate a damping force that is proportional to the speed of deployment.
  • the body is configured to have a circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, when in the deployed configuration.
  • the tubular structure is configured such that a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis includes one or more straight-edge segments, and further includes a plurality of curved-edge segments in which the tape-spring hinges are formed.
  • the deployable mast structure is included in a deployable antenna assembly comprising a primary reflector, the primary reflector being disposed at one end of the deployable mast structure, and a secondary reflector, the secondary reflector being disposed at an opposite end of the deployable mast structure to the primary reflector.
  • the deployable mast structure is included in a deployable telescope assembly comprising a sensor disposed at one end of the deployable mast structure, and one or more optical elements disposed along the deployable mast structure.
  • the deployable mast structure can be used as part of a separation mechanism for detaching a first body (e.g. a spacecraft) from a second body (e.g. a payload), wherein the deployable mast structure is configured to urge the first body away from the second body upon the release of a restraining force holding the deployable mast structure in the stowed configuration.
  • a first body e.g. a spacecraft
  • a second body e.g. a payload
  • a system comprises the deployable mast structure and a hold down and release mechanism configured to apply a restraining force to hold the structure in the stowed configuration.
  • the method further comprises a step of laying one or more additional plies around the mandrel at intervals along the longitudinal axis of the body, so as to form reinforcing members configured to reinforce a section of the wall in which no tape-spring hinges are formed.
  • a deployable mast structure 100 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the mast structure 100 is illustrated in a deployed configuration.
  • the mast structure 100 is capable of being collapsed into a stowed configuration in which the structure 100 occupies a smaller volume than in the deployed configuration, and can subsequently be deployed by extending the structure 100 into the configuration shown in Fig. 1 .
  • the stowed configuration can also be referred to as a collapsed configuration
  • the deployed configuration can be referred to as an extended configuration.
  • the deployable mast structure 100 of the present embodiment comprises a thin-walled body 101.
  • the body 101 is configured to adopt a tubular shape when the mast structure 100 is in the deployed configuration, as illustrated in Fig. 1 .
  • the body 101 is configured to have a circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, when in the deployed configuration.
  • a different cross-sectional shape may be used, for example an elliptical or polygonal cross-section.
  • the mast structure 100 further comprises a plurality of openings 102 formed in the wall of the body 101.
  • the plurality of openings 102 are configured so as to define a plurality of integral tape-spring hinges 103 in the wall of the body 101.
  • the plurality of openings 102 are configured so as to permit the body 101 to collapse along its longitudinal axis into a collapsed configuration when the tape-spring hinges 103 are buckled.
  • the integral tape-spring hinges 103 are configured to exert a deployment force which urges the structure 100 towards the deployed configuration.
  • each group of openings 102 are arranged into groups spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the body 101, such that each group of openings 102 defines a hinge section 111, 112, 113 comprising a plurality of tape-spring hinges 103 arranged around the longitudinal axis.
  • each hinge section 111, 112, 113 comprises four openings 102, which together define four tape-spring hinges 103 arranged around the central longitudinal axis.
  • any number of tape-spring hinges may be provided within one hinge section, by forming an appropriate number of openings.
  • Adjacent groups of openings 102 that is, hinge sections 111, 112, 112 which are adjacent one another along the longitudinal axis, are connected by a section of the wall in which no tape-spring hinges are formed.
  • these sections are ringshaped, since the tubular body 101 has a circular cross-section, and are hereinafter referred to as 'ring sections'.
  • a deployable mast structure 100 which comprises alternating hinge sections 111, 112, 113 and ring sections 121, 122, 123, 124.
  • a three-tier structure is illustrated purely by way of an example, comprising three hinge sections 111, 112, 113 connected at either end to one of the ring sections 121, 122, 123, 124.
  • any number of tiers may be provided.
  • a deployable mast structure may only comprise a single hinge section with a ring section at either end.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the deployable mast structure 100 with the tape-spring hinges 103 in the top hinge section 111 partially collapsed.
  • the length of the openings 102 within each hinge section 111, 112, 113 is selected such that the tape-spring hinges 103 within each hinge section 111, 112, 113 can be folded inwardly towards the centre of the body 101 without interfering with one another when the structure is in a collapsed configuration, as shown in Fig. 2 .
  • the length of the openings 102 can be selected such that when the tape-spring hinges 103 are folded inwardly as shown in Fig. 2 , in the fully-collapsed configuration each tape-spring hinge 103 protrudes inwardly towards the central axis of the structure 100 without making contact with any of the other tape-spring hinges in the same hinge section.
  • the tape-spring hinges within one section may make contact with one another in the stowed configuration, but maybe arranged such that the tape-spring hinges do not prevent each other from unfolding as the structure extends.
  • the folded tape-spring hinges may be overlapped with one another near the centre of the structure, in the stowed configuration.
  • Folding the tape-spring hinges 103 inwardly means that each hinge is folded in the opposite direction to the radius of curvature of the hinge. This is referred to as 'opposite sense' buckling of the tape-spring hinge, in contrast to 'same sense' buckling which would occur if the tape-spring hinge 103 of the present embodiment was folded outwardly.
  • the tape-spring hinges may be folded outwardly when the structure is collapsed into the stowed configuration.
  • Opposite-sense buckling results in more elastic strain energy being stored in the tape-spring hinge than if same-sense buckling were used. Accordingly, by folding the tape-spring hinges 103 inwardly when the mast structure is collapsed into the stowed configuration, as shown in Fig. 2 , a greater amount of energy is stored. This increases the peak force that is exerted on the structure by the tape-spring hinges 103 when the mast structure 100 is in the collapsed configuration, with the result that the structure 100 can be deployed more quickly and/or can move a larger mass than would be the case if the tape-spring hinges 103 were folded outwardly. Another advantage of folding the tape-spring hinges 103 inwardly is that the structure 100 will occupy a smaller volume in the collapsed configuration than if the tape-spring hinges 103 were bent outwardly.
  • the mast structure 100 collapses along its longitudinal axis as the tape-spring hinges 103 within one hinge section 111, 112, 113 are buckled. Since the structure 100 collapses along the longitudinal axis, the resulting volume of the structure in the collapsed configuration is reduced in comparison to prior art structures.
  • the collapsing/deployment mechanism shown in Fig. 2 therefore provides a highly compact deployable mast structure.
  • the ring sections 121, 122, 123, 124 may be reinforced by one or more reinforcing members, with the result that the wall stiffness in the ring sections 121, 122, 123, 124 is higher than that in the hinge sections 111, 112, 113.
  • the reinforcing members can help the ring sections to resist twisting and/or buckling as the structure collapses. Reinforcement of the ring sections 121, 122, 123, 124 may be particularly advantageous in embodiments in which the ring sections 121, 122, 123, 124 are relatively short in height compared to the hinge sections 111, 112, 113.
  • the wall of the body 101 is formed from a layered composite material, for example an epoxy-carbon fibre composite, and each of the plurality of reinforcing members comprises one or more additional layers of the composite material.
  • the sections of the wall in which no tape-spring hinges are formed namely the ring sections 121, 122, 123, 124, have a higher stiffness than the hinge sections 111, 112, 113.
  • a different form of reinforcement may be used, for example metal or ceramic strips or hoops bonded to an inner or outer surface of the ring sections, or embedded within the wall itself.
  • the reinforcing members may be omitted.
  • the plurality of openings 102 are configured such that the tape-spring hinges 103 defined by the openings 102 are narrower at their ends.
  • the tape-spring hinges 103 have a tendency to buckle near the point at which they meet the ring sections 121, 122, 123, 124, so that the structure collapses in a uniform and predictable manner.
  • this is achieved by forming a radius at each corner where a tape-spring hinge 103 meets a ring section 121, 122, 123, 124. The radius reduces the probability of fracture at the joint between the tape spring and the ring section, by avoiding sharp corners which act as stress concentrators.
  • the tape-spring hinges 103 can be formed so as to have a uniform width along their length. That is, in some embodiments a radius at each corner of the tape-spring hinge may be omitted.
  • the plurality of openings are formed in one or more composite plies.
  • the mast structure may be formed from any suitable material.
  • the mast structure can be formed from a composite material comprises a high strength/stiffness fibre and a low stiffness/compliant resin matrix, such as an epoxy-carbon fibre composite.
  • step S302 the composite plies are laid around a curved mandrel, which is shaped so as to define the wall of the body, to form a laminate with the correct shape and thickness.
  • the curvature of the surface of the mandrel will define the curvature of the tape-spring hinges. If reinforcement is required for the ring sections, one or more additional plies can be laid around the mandrel at intervals along the longitudinal axis of the body so as to form the reinforcing members in step S302.
  • step S303 the composite plies are cured in order to harden the composite material and form the wall of the body.
  • the composite plies may be cured, and post-cured if needed, in a controlled temperature and pressure environment, such as in an autoclave.
  • step S304 the completed mast structure is removed from the mandrel. The mast structure is then ready for use, and can be collapsed along its longitudinal axis into the collapsed configuration by buckling the tape-spring hinges.
  • a control mechanism may be provided to control the speed at which the mast structure deploys from the collapsed configuration once a restraining force is removed.
  • the control mechanism can be configured to control the deployment speed by exerting a braking force which partly counteracts the force exerted by the tape-spring hinges.
  • the control mechanism may comprise an eddy current damper connected to an end of the mast structure by one or more fibres, the eddy current damper being configured to generate a damping force that is proportional to the speed of deployment that results from the force exerted by the tape-spring hinges. In other embodiments a different dampening mechanism may be used.
  • the dissipative damping moment/force provided by the eddy current damper is directly proportional to the speed of deployment. Therefore, if the tape-spring hinges exert a large deployment force, which would otherwise result in rapid deployment of the structure, the eddy current damper would apply a proportionally high dissipative damping moment/force. Conversely, if the deployment force and therefore the speed of deployment is low, the eddy current damper would apply a proportionally lower moment/force during deployment.
  • control mechanism enables the speed of deployment to be tuned, in order to avoid shock and structural damage occurring to the mast structure and any devices attached thereto, by virtue of controlling the release of energy during deployment.
  • the mast structure has a uniform diameter along its length.
  • the mast structure may be tapered in width along the longitudinal axis.
  • an angle of the taper can be selected to permit a section of the wall at one end of one of the tape-spring hinges to be stored inside a section of the wall at the opposite end of said one of the tape-spring hinges, when the mast structure is in the collapsed configuration. This arrangement can further reduce the volume occupied by the mast structure in the collapsed configuration.
  • Embodiments of the present invention may find use in various applications, including but not limited to:
  • the deployable mast structure can be included in a deployable antenna assembly comprising a primary reflector, the primary reflector being disposed at one end of the deployable mast structure, and a secondary reflector, the secondary reflector being disposed at an opposite end of the deployable mast structure to the primary reflector.
  • a deployable antenna assembly comprising a primary reflector, the primary reflector being disposed at one end of the deployable mast structure, and a secondary reflector, the secondary reflector being disposed at an opposite end of the deployable mast structure to the primary reflector.
  • the deployable mast structure can be included in a deployable telescope assembly comprising a sensor disposed at one end of the deployable mast structure, and one or more optical elements disposed along the deployable mast structure. In this way, the size of the deployable telescope assembly can be reduced when the mast structure is in the collapsed configuration.
  • the deployable mast structure can be configured to act as a separation mechanism for detaching a first body (e.g. a spacecraft) from a second body (e.g. a payload).
  • a first body e.g. a spacecraft
  • a second body e.g. a payload
  • the deployable mast structure is configured to urge the first body away from the second body when a restraining force holding the structure in the stowed configuration is released.
  • Embodiments of the invention have been described in which the body of a deployable mast structure is configured to collapse along its longitudinal axis into the collapsed configuration. This can be achieved by configuring the plurality of openings to provide appropriate dimensions of the tape-spring hinges and the connecting wall sections, such that the structure can collapse along the longitudinal axis without the tape-spring hinges interfering with one another. Since the structure collapses along its longitudinal axis, a compact collapsed configuration is achieved. During deployment, the mast structure extends along its longitudinal axis. This achieves rectilinear motion, in contrast to prior art structures in which rigid sections pivot and fold back on one another. Also, in embodiments of the present invention, the tape-spring hinges lock out to become part of the wall of the mast once the structure is deployed, further increasing the overall rigidity of the deployed structure.
  • the body in which the openings are formed is configured to adopt a tubular shape in the deployed configuration.
  • the term 'tubular' is used herein to refer to any thin-walled hollow structure with a closed perimeter, and is not limited to structures with circular cross-sections.
  • An example of a tubular structure (400) with a non-circular cross section is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 , according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the cross-section (401) is generally square in shape, with a concave segment (403) along each side of the square (402) which forms a tape-spring hinge.
  • the cross-section may be based on any regular or irregular polygon.
  • the cross-section may include one or more straight-edge segments and a plurality of curved-edge segments in which the tape-spring hinges are formed.
  • Embodiments of the invention have been described in which a tubular structure can be placed into a stowed configuration by collapsing the structure along its longitudinal axis.
  • This folding arrangement enables a significant reduction in the height of the structure in the stowed configuration.
  • the connecting ring sections remain substantially undeformed in the stowed configuration, the overall reduction in height of the structure in the stowed configuration depends on the relative height of the tape-spring sections to the ring sections, and on the extent to which cach tape-spring section can be collapsed.
  • the height of each tape-spring section may be greater than or equal to the height of the connecting sections, so that a total reduction in height of roughly 50% or greater can be achieved.
  • the height of each tape-spring section may be substantially greater than that of the connecting ring sections, enabling a substantial reduction in height of the structure.
  • a system comprising the deployable mast structure and a hold down and release mechanism (HDRM) configured to apply a restraining force to hold the structure in the stowed configuration, in which the body is collapsed along its longitudinal axis.
  • the system can automatically deploy the mast structure by releasing the restraining force, whereupon the elastic energy stored in the deformed tape-spring hinges in the stowed configuration exerts a force that urges the structure towards the deployed configuration.
  • HDRM hold down and release mechanism

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Claims (15)

  1. Structure de mât déployable (100) comprenant :
    un corps (101) configuré pour adopter une forme tubulaire lorsque la structure de mât est dans une configuration déployée ; et
    une pluralité d'ouvertures (102) formées dans une paroi du corps de manière à définir une pluralité de charnières à ressort à lame intégrées (103) dans la paroi du corps, la pluralité d'ouvertures étant configurée de manière à permettre au corps de se plier le long de son axe longitudinal dans une configuration repliée lorsque les charnières à ressort à lame sont bouclées,
    dans laquelle dans la configuration repliée, les charnières à ressort à lame intégrées sont configurées pour exercer une force qui pousse la structure en direction de la configuration déployée,
    caractérisée en ce que la pluralité d'ouvertures est configurée de sorte que les charnières à ressort à lame définies par les ouvertures sont plus étroites au niveau de leurs extrémités.
  2. Structure de mât déployable selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle la pluralité d'ouvertures est agencée en une pluralité de groupes espacés le long de l'axe longitudinal du corps, de sorte que chaque groupe d'ouvertures définit une section de charnière (111, 112, 113) comprenant une pluralité de charnières à ressort à lame agencées autour de l'axe longitudinal, des sections de charnière adjacentes étant raccordées par une section (121, 122, 123, 124) de la paroi dans laquelle aucune charnière à ressort à lame n'est formée.
  3. Structure de mât déployable selon la revendication 2, comprenant en outre :
    une pluralité d'éléments de renforcement dont chacun est configuré pour renforcer l'une des sections de la paroi dans laquelle aucune charnière à ressort à lame n'est formée.
  4. Structure de mât déployable selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle la paroi du corps est formée à partir d'un matériau composite en couches et chacun de la pluralité d'éléments de renforcement comprend une ou plusieurs couches supplémentaires du matériau composite, de sorte que les sections de la paroi dans laquelle aucune charnière à ressort à lame n'est formée présentent une rigidité supérieure à celle des sections de charnière.
  5. Structure de mât déployable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle une longueur de chacune de la pluralité d'ouvertures (102) à l'intérieur d'une section du corps est sélectionnée de sorte que les charnières à ressort à lame (103) à l'intérieur de ladite section peuvent être pliées vers l'intérieur en direction d'un centre du corps lorsque la structure est dans la configuration repliée.
  6. Structure de mât déployable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle le corps est fuselé en largeur le long de l'axe longitudinal.
  7. Structure de mât déployable selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle un angle du fuselage est sélectionné pour permettre à une section de la paroi au niveau d'une extrémité d'une des charnières à ressort à lame (103) d'être stockée à l'intérieur d'une section de la paroi au niveau de l'extrémité opposée de ladite une des charnières à ressort à lame, lorsque la structure de mât est dans la configuration repliée.
  8. Structure de mât déployable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre :
    un mécanisme de commande configuré pour commander une vitesse à laquelle la structure de mât se déploie à partir de la configuration repliée une fois qu'une force de retenue est éliminée, le mécanisme de commande étant configuré pour exercer une force de freinage qui contrebalance partiellement la force exercée par les charnières à ressort à lame,
    dans laquelle le mécanisme de commande comprend optionnellement un amortisseur à courant de Foucault connecté à une extrémité de la structure de mât par au moins une fibre, l'amortisseur à courant de Foucault étant configuré pour générer une force d'amortissement qui est proportionnelle à la force exercée par les charnières à ressort à lame.
  9. Structure de mât déployable selon l'une quelconque de revendications précédentes, dans laquelle le corps est configuré pour avoir une section transversale circulaire dans un plan perpendiculaire à l'axe longitudinal, dans la configuration déployée, ou
    dans laquelle la structure tubulaire est configurée de sorte qu'une section transversale perpendiculaire à l'axe longitudinal inclut un ou plusieurs segments à bord droit, et inclut en outre une pluralité de segments à bord incurvé dans lesquels les charnières à ressort à lame sont formées.
  10. Ensemble antenne déployable comprenant la structure de mât déployable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, l'ensemble antenne comprenant en outre :
    un réflecteur primaire, le réflecteur primaire étant disposé au niveau d'une extrémité de la structure de mât déployable ; et
    un réflecteur secondaire, le réflecteur secondaire étant disposé au niveau d'une extrémité opposée de la structure de mât déployable du réflecteur primaire.
  11. Ensemble télescope déployable comprenant la structure de mât déployable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, l'ensemble télescope comprenant en outre :
    un capteur disposé au niveau d'une extrémité de la structure de mât déployable ; et
    un ou plusieurs éléments optiques disposés le long de la structure de mât déployable.
  12. Mécanisme de séparation pour détacher un premier corps d'un second corps, le mécanisme de séparation comprenant la structure de mât déployable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, dans lequel la structure de mât déployable est configurée pour pousser le premier corps à l'opposé du second corps lors de la libération d'une force de retenue maintenant la structure dans la configuration repliée.
  13. Système comprenant :
    la structure de mât déployable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9 ; et
    un mécanisme de maintien en position et de libération configuré pour appliquer une force de retenue pour maintenir la structure dans la configuration repliée.
  14. Procédé de fabrication de la structure de mât déployable selon la revendication 1, le procédé comprenant :
    la formation (S301) de la pluralité d'ouvertures en un ou plusieurs plis composites ;
    la pose (S302) du ou des plis composites autour d'une forme de mandrin incurvée pour définir la paroi du corps ;
    le durcissement (S303) du ou des plis composites pour former la paroi du corps ; et
    le retrait (S304) du mandrin,
    dans lequel la pluralité d'ouvertures est configurée de sorte que les charnières à ressort à lame définies par les ouvertures sont plus étroites au niveau de leurs extrémités.
  15. Procédé selon la revendication 14, comprenant en outre :
    la pose d'un ou de plusieurs plis supplémentaires autour du mandrin à intervalles le long de l'axe longitudinal du corps, de manière à former des éléments de renforcement configurés pour renforcer une section de la paroi dans laquelle aucune charnière à ressort à lame n'est formée.
EP17800583.1A 2016-11-08 2017-11-08 Structure de mât déployable Active EP3538723B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1618846.8A GB2555657A (en) 2016-11-08 2016-11-08 Deployable mast structure
PCT/GB2017/053359 WO2018087538A1 (fr) 2016-11-08 2017-11-08 Structure de mât déployable

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EP3538723A1 EP3538723A1 (fr) 2019-09-18
EP3538723B1 true EP3538723B1 (fr) 2020-12-30

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JP (1) JP7040874B2 (fr)
CN (1) CN110431278B (fr)
CA (1) CA3043282A1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2848727T3 (fr)
GB (1) GB2555657A (fr)
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FR3087426B1 (fr) * 2018-10-18 2022-03-11 Thales Sa Dispositif deployable a metre-ruban a section non constante
GB201912417D0 (en) * 2019-08-29 2019-10-16 Univ Limerick Deployable Structures
CN110745257B (zh) * 2019-10-12 2023-09-15 上海宇航系统工程研究所 一种可折叠支撑结构
FR3112506B1 (fr) * 2020-07-17 2023-05-12 Arianegroup Sas Piece raidie en materiau composite thermodurci a structure caissonnee et procede de fabrication
KR102302075B1 (ko) * 2021-06-02 2021-09-13 재단법인 한국탄소산업진흥원 다단 굽힘 복합재 테이프 스프링을 적용한 전개 구조물

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Publication number Publication date
WO2018087538A1 (fr) 2018-05-17
US10738498B2 (en) 2020-08-11
GB2555657A (en) 2018-05-09
JP7040874B2 (ja) 2022-03-23
EP3538723A1 (fr) 2019-09-18
CA3043282A1 (fr) 2018-05-17
CN110431278A (zh) 2019-11-08
CN110431278B (zh) 2021-11-30
US20190277051A1 (en) 2019-09-12
ES2848727T3 (es) 2021-08-11
JP2020506848A (ja) 2020-03-05

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